Weekend Chit-chat with Marmion football’s Sean Campbell

Marmion senior running back-linebacker Sean Campbell is eager to increase his role from last fall, when he described himself as a “key reserve.” As the Cadets await kickoff of the 2014 football season next month, Campbell knows coach Dan Thorpe and Co. will rely on him to be a leader, a prospect he doesn’t shy away from. Speaking with Kane County Chronicle sports reporter Kevin Druley for the latest installment of the Weekend Chit-chat, Campbell sizes up Marmion’s spring routine and his outlook for the fall. Here’s an edited transcript:

What do you take away from 7-on-7s knowing that you’re not hitting, it’s not live, but it’s something?

What I take away is that in 7-on-7s, it’s not about winning, necessarily. It’s about getting the timing down. Getting the routes done. Getting everything done correctly. And by then, when you get to the season, it should pay off. Because that’s what ultimately matters. It doesn’t matter if you’re just throwing deep balls every single time. It’s more about getting the timing down for the correct routes and displaying that in the season. So, that’s what I feel.

How much does the camaraderie start to build at this time of year?

Yeah, the camaraderie begins Day 1 [of] lifting. We usually go two weeks of lifting, two weeks of camp. Two weeks of lifting, two weeks of camp. And then we’re off. I felt like it began to build probably sophomore year, because freshman year we get to know each other. But this summer has been great for camaraderie and building friendships even stronger. Being around on the football field helps. Running around together.

Describe your role last year.

Last year, I was the second-string, first one to go in if anyone got hurt in the secondary. And then I was on all the special teams. Saw a couple reps in the beginning of the season, but once all our injuries got back, I was more of a key reserve, I guess. … I was on the special teams all year, though. Made a lot of tackles on that.

How have things been looking at quarterback?

Well, our senior is Rusty Joyce, and then the junior is Johnny Tate. Johnny’s bigger … but he’s only played two years at quarterback. And then Rusty’s played his whole life, so I think he has the advantage on the reading, like, making the right reads. But Johnny, he’s getting to it. They throw about the same ball, about the same strength and accuracy.

Are you looking to compete in sports beyond high school?

Maybe. I’m just going to see how this year goes and then play it by ear. I was looking to go to a big college, like Michigan State, and just not play and play intramurals and stuff. But I’ll see how this year goes and I’ll see if I want to continue playing football. But if I do, I’d look at something like a Butler or a D-III school.

Do you squeeze vacation into the summer schedule?

Yeah. I just went on vacation with some of my friends from the team down to Florida. And then I went on a mission trip at the beginning of the summer, so that was a week long … [to] West Virginia.